Today GM announced closures of 4 plants in North America that manufacture trucks and SUVs. They discussed plans for dropping the Hummer all together. No one is buying them anymore: the reason ... high gas prices.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121248991309341065.html?mod=AutosChannelMain_Rel atedStories

the reason ... high gas prices.


Ya think?

there goes the bluebook on my 2002 Avalanche ;(

My ten year old sedan comically went UP in value last year.

there goes the bluebook on my 2002 Avalanche ;(No replacements could be a good thing, if new buyers are looking for SUVs. Although I pretty much accepted that when I bought my truck I was out of luck.

Won't shed any tears over the termination of the Hummers though.

Just got rid of my hummer... Thank god!

There's a dealership not too far down the road from me. As I ride my bike past it on my way to work I keep seeing the sticker prices dropping by a couple hundred dollars weekly for all the SUVs and trucks.

I read yesterday were those 15-year old Geo Metros and their 52 MPG were selling for $7400 on ebay.

I read yesterday were those 15-year old Geo Metros and their 52 MPG were selling for $7400 on ebay.

Yup.. Gas sippers 3 cyl metro's are hot right now... My little farm community is only 1 mile long and work is only 3 miles away. I am seriously thinking of a 49cc scooter. 0 liscening, 0 insurance and 100+ MPG. Can't go wrong.

I don’t buy the “gas price” reason for sales decline. Seems to be just a convenient way to cover up their other problems to stock holders. For long time now American built vehicles have all been close to or in hard times. Send jobs off shore, make crap products and just assume all will work out. But gas price is easy to blame when Euro and Jap car companies have been taking more and more of your sales for 20 years now. Long as it they don’t have to say our CEO and other people are borderline retarded.

Besides if you can drop 100K on a Hummer and 20 more bucks a week in gas is gonna make you take the bus, then the Hummer prob wasn’t your best purchase idea. My Jeep gets about 20 miles to gallon. Not good. But gas will be my last thing to go. I can skip going to McDonalds a day and make up difference.

On side note I had a 89 metro. Mine was SI model and only got like 33 mpg. But still was biggest hunk of junk I ever owned. Would be on highway going 55mph and hit AC button and instantly be going 45mph. But cheapest built car I ever owned. Door fell off because it was just 2 pieces of sheet metal held together with screws. No reinforcements at all.


Is funny how mpg average on new cars in mid/early 90s seems higher than today’s market to me.

It's not just the Hummers, I know a few people that have traded in their beloved trucks because they were paying more than their car payment at the pump every month.

Don't do it OSG! someone might confuse you with a tree hugging liberal. that and you might get the sudden urge to wear birkenstocks.
I'm looking to get something new and gas mileage is the top priority for me. the scooter idea is a really good one. i just need a few therapy sessions to try and overcome that "moped incident" from high school.

I love having a 97 Subaru that can haul a decent amount of shit and get 35+ mpg on the highway.

Ironically you know where all those unsold silverados are going? To the Enterprise rentals. Anytime I need to service my ss trailblazer they send me to the Enterprise to get a 4 door short bed silverado.

I need to upgrade my truck, I am thinking by early next year they are going to be giving them away.

Eventually hybrid trucks and SUVs will come down in price to be viable alternatives, but right now the extra cost plus having to replace the electrical system every 3 years is worse than buying gas.

Yup.. Gas sippers 3 cyl metro's are hot right now... My little farm community is only 1 mile long and work is only 3 miles away. I am seriously thinking of a 49cc scooter. 0 liscening, 0 insurance and 100+ MPG. Can't go wrong.
3 miles? Take a bike! :D

Eventually hybrid trucks and SUVs will come down in price to be viable alternatives, but right now the extra cost plus having to replace the electrical system every 3 years is worse than buying gas.

Replace the electrical system? What are talking about?

3 miles? Take a bike! :D

or walk...

Sorry that's probably not the right term. The batteries, like all rechargable batteries, only last a few years. The recharging mechanisms don't last that long either.

My brother has one of the 1st honda hybrids made. he bought it off of ebay a few 5 years ago. It was used when he bought it, he hasn't had to replace any batteries yet. His wife drives it every day for a 45mile one way commute to downtown ATL. He swears it's the best thing he's ever bought in his life. He's had one issue with it since he had it, something with a starter. He took it to a Honda dealer and it was some recalled part so he didn't have to pay anything to have it fixed.

I don't know if it's other hybrids that have problems but his Honda has been increadibly good to them. It's ugly as sin imo :p

As well I have several friends who one the very ugly Pruis, they have onwards of 150,000 and they are 4+ years old....zero electrical problems. They are expensive to replace batteries but they are warrantied for 7 years.

A little off the subject but take a look at this technology by AFS Trinity:

video:

http://gmy.news.yahoo.com/v/8129227

Website:

http://www.afstrinity.com/

Exactly what I'm looking for in my next vehicle. Saddled with a full size van we bought instead of a Expeburban monster in the late 90's. Still need it for the occasional school bus impersonation and for picking up various family groupages at the airport.

Thank god I only commute 6 miles....of course when it snows it can take 45-60 minutes :'/

I'm hoping the gas crunch does more than just punch the SUV segment in the nuts. I'm really hoping it curtails the rampant suburban spawl that is happening everywhere around me.

I read yesterday were those 15-year old Geo Metros and their 52 MPG were selling for $7400 on ebay.

Yeah I read about that a couple of weeks ago.

I'll always own a truck, it just won't be for everyday driving. I drive a little Honda as does my wife. We still need the truck to pull things, haul things, and pack up for trips on weekends to the cabin.